Secretarybird – Sagittarius serpentarius - Birds Birds Follow It's Nature on Facebook Secretary Bird Secretary bird has obtained its unusual name thanks to the black feathers on the crest that remind of goose feathers, which secretaries used to wear inserted in their wigs. In appearance, this bird looks similar to a crane, and is actually quite a unique predatory bird. Secretary Birds have earned their name thanks to the set of black feathers in their crest They reach 120 – 150 cm in length and 3,4 – 4,4 in weight, putting them among the average sized birds of prey, that are smaller than, for instance, hawks, but larger than falcons. Most of the Secretary Bird’s body is grayish, while the tips of their wings, as well as the tail and upper parts of the legs are completely black. Their appearance is made unusual by the long, crane-like legs and a set of black feathers that rise during the mating period, on top of their heads. Secretary Birds live in pairs, with their natural habitat being the African savannas, south of the Sahara Desert. They are wandering birds, because staying in one area wouldn’t provide the bird with the necessary food.

Mature birds spend most of the year in pairs, cooperating in hunting and also sleeping together, high in the trees. Secretary Bird spends most of its time on the ground, searching for food. It sometimes also flies to a great height and then nosedives at lightning speed, to surprise the possible prey. Secretary Birds mostly chase their prey by foot They catch their prey by patrolling through the bushes and small growths. Everyone once in a while the Secretary bird hits the ground with its muscular legs to scare small mammals and rodents out of their covers. The prey is mostly chased on ground and the Secretary Bird will rarely fly after it. Although these birds are known as snake catchers, most of their diet consists of rodents, small mammals and other birds. In some parts of Southern America, Secretary Birds are tamed by farmers to catch snakes and mice. These birds find a partner and form life-long pairs. That is why, rut is a very important part of their lives, as each male tries to attract the best possible female. The male flies around the chosen female and emits loud, moaning sounds, and later the birds start a ritual dance. After a pair has been established, they both construct a nest in a bush or a tree.

Two to four eggs are laid and they hatch after about seven weeks. Bot the parents bring them digested food, and later start to train them to tear prey by bringing whole creatures to the nest. After 80-100 days, the young birds leave their parents’ nest and start independent lives. If there are no obstacles, Secretary Birds use the same nest for multiple years, expanding it every year, until it reaches a size of 2 metres in diameter. Secretary birds are not directly endangered. This species was never widespread, but lately the population is on a decline due to destruction of their natural habitat. Still, the popularity among farmers will prevent extinction of this spectacular bird. See what you can find... tharanga nuwan I interested see this bird. You May Also Like... Secretarybird videos, photos and facts - Sagittarius serpentarius | ARKive Top Secretarybird biology Sometimes described as Africa’s ‘marching eagle’, the secretarybird prefers to move around on foot, easily covering between 20 and 30 kilometres a day when hunting for food (2) .

It spends much of its time stalking across the open ground, periodically stopping and stamping the floor to strike prey, which it will usually crush underfoot or repeatedly kick, before swallowing whole (2) (4) (5) . The secretarybird’s diet primarily consists of large insects and small mammals, mainly rodents. However, it will feed opportunistically on any animal it comes across on its wandering travels, including hares, mongooses, squirrels, snakes, lizards, amphibians, freshwater crabs, and birds up to the size of guineafowl, as well as their eggs. Secretarybirds have also been known to take domestic chickens when foraging in areas close to human habitation (2) (5) . The secretarybird breeds year-round, but with a distinct peak during the spring and summer months further south. Two to three broods are often reared in productive years after good rainfall (7) . The secretarybird makes a nest out of sticks, creating a large platform on a flat-topped acacia tree or other thorny bush, and lining it with dry grass and other materials. It may also nest in non-thorny or exotic tree species if preferred nesting sites are not available.

Following a courtship that is performed in flight and includes pendulum displays and calling (5) , the female secretarybird will lay a clutch of one to three eggs, which are incubated for around 42 to 46 days. The nestling period typically lasts between 65 to 106 days, with a post fledging-dependence period of 62 to 105 days. After this time the juvenile secretarybirds will leave the parental territory and range over long distances, displaying characteristic nomadic behaviour as immature birds (7) . Top Secretarybird range The secretarybird has a widespread distribution throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and The Gambia in the west across to Ethiopia in the east, and extending southwards through the eastern African countries into South Africa. A fairly nomadic species, the secretarybird will often travel widely in search of food, or in response to rainfall, fires and other changes in environmental conditions (2) (4) (5) (7) . Top Secretarybird status The secretarybird is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1) , and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3) .

Top Secretarybird threats Although its population is distributed over a vast area covering more than 15 million square kilometres, the secretarybird is generally in decline, and is thought to have completely disappeared from West Africa in the last 30 years (2) (5) (8) . This species is increasingly threatened by the expansion of human populations, and the associated spread of cultivation and urbanisation (2) (8) . On a smaller scale, some populations of the secretarybird are at risk from hunting and persecution, with several individuals found poisoned or injured in South Africa in recent years (5) . Top Secretarybird conservation The secretarybird occurs within some protected areas (8) , and in some places it has benefited from bush clearance and deforestation of woodlands to make way for agriculture (5) (8) . The secretarybird is protected under the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, in the hope that the species will be protected by participating states from hunting, killing, capture or collection (9) . It is also listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning that international trade in the species should be carefully monitored (3) .

These actions will hopefully act to safeguard populations of this unusual and charismatic bird of prey, although much will depend on the rate at which vital habitat across its range is lost to human development. Secretary Birds or Secretarybirds (Sagittarius serpentarius) Birds of Prey ... The Sport of Falconry The Secretary Bird or Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius, is an extraordinary large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey . Origin of its name: There are a couple of potential origins of its name. One explanation was that it was named after the crest of long feathers at the back of its head that resemble quill pens that 19th century clerks stuck in their wigs. But recent findings indicate that its name was derived from the Arabic "saqr-et-tair", meaning hunter-bird, which also translates into French as "secretaire". Endemic to Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savannah of the sub-Sahara. It is a large bird of prey in the order Falconiformes, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites , buzzards , vultures , and harriers , but it is so distinctive that it is given its own family, Sagittaridae.

The Secretary Bird enjoys a certain fame in Africa, specifically Sudan and South Africa, where it serves as a prominent Emblem on both countries' Coat of Arms. General Appearance / Description The Secretary Bird is instantly recognizable as having an eagle-like body on crane-like legs which increases the bird’s height to around 1.3 m (4 ft) tall. This 140 cm (4.5 ft) long bird has an eagle-like head with a hooked bill, but has rounded wings. Body weight averages at about 3.3 kg (7.3 lbs) and the wingspan is over 2 m (6.6 ft). Due to its long legs and long tail, it is both longer and taller than any other diurnal raptor. Indeed, the Secretarybird has the longest legs of any raptor, and it must bend its legs in a crouch to feed or drink .The lower legs of Secretarybirds have heavy scales that may protect them while walking through the brush or when attacking their prey. From a distance or in flight it resembles a crane more than a bird of prey. The tail has two elongated central feathers that extend beyond the feet during flight, as well as long flat plumage creating a posterior crest.

Secretary Bird flight feathers and thighs are black, while most of the coverts are grey with some being white. Sexes look similar to one another as the species exhibits very little sexual dimorphism, although the male has longer head plumes and tail feathers. Adults have a featherless red face as opposed to the yellow facial skin of the young. They can run so fast that they are sometimes referred to as "the devil's horse." They are excellent flyers, but they have a hard time getting off the ground. They have to make a long run with wings outspread before becoming airborne. That may be the reason why they appear to prefer running to flying. Habitat Secretary Birds are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and are non-migratory (although they may follow food sources). Their range is from Senegal to Somalia and south to the Cape of Good Hope. These birds are also found at a variety of elevations, from the coastal plains to the highlands. Secretary Birds prefer open grasslands and savannahs rather than forests and dense shrubbery which may impede their cursorial existence.

While the birds roost on the local Acacia trees at night, they spend much of the day on the ground, returning to roosting sites just before dark. Diet The Secretary Bird is largely terrestrial, hunting its prey on foot, and other than the caracara (such as Caracara plancus ), is the only bird of prey to do so habitually. Adults hunt in pairs and sometimes as loose familial flocks, stalking through the habitat with long strides. Prey consists of insects, small mammals, lizards, snakes, young birds, bird eggs, and sometimes dead animals killed in wildfires. Some secretary birds are kept on African farms to keep the snake population in check. Larger herbivores are not hunted, although there are some reports of Secretary Birds killing young gazelles. Young are fed liquefied and regurgitated insects directly by the male or female parent and are eventually weaned to small mammals and reptile fragments regurgitated onto the nest itself. The above foodstuffs are originally stored in the crop of the adults. Secretary Birds have two distinct feeding strategies that are both executed on land.

They can either catch prey by chasing it and striking with the bill, or stamping on prey until it is rendered stunned or unconscious enough to swallow. Studies of this latter strategy have helped reconstruct the possible feeding mechanisms employed by the dinosaur-like 'terror birds' of five million years ago. When Secretary Birds find a snake, they will either kill them with a powerful forward kick or they seize them with their claws and strike them on the back of the neck with the beak. They may use beak, wings and feet to kill a large snake. They use their wings wings as shields to keep from being bitten. Small prey are picked up in the bill and swallowed. The Secretary bird stamps its feet on the ground to flush out prey. In hunting and feeding on small animals and arthropods on the ground and in tall grass or scrub, Secretary Birds occupy an ecological niche similar to that occupied by peafowl in South and Southeast Asia, roadrunners in North and Central America and seriemas in South America. Reproduction Mating Secretary Birds associate in monogamous pairs. During courtship, they exhibit a nuptial display by soaring high with undulating flight patterns and calling with guttural croaking.

Males and females can also perform a grounded display by chasing each other with their wings up and back, much like the way they chase prey. They usually mate on the ground, although some do so in Acacia trees. Rearing Nests are built at a height of 5–7 m (15–20 feet) on Acacia trees. Both the male and female visit the nest site for almost half a year before egg laying takes place. The nest is around 2.5 m (eight feet) wide and 30 cm (one foot) deep, and is constructed as a relatively flat basin of sticks and branches, lined with grass. Instead of building a new nest each year, they add a new layer of grass. Secretary birds lay two to three oval, pale-green eggs over the course of two to three days, although the third egg is most often unfertilised. These eggs are incubated primarily by the female for 45 days until they hatch. During this time, she is fed by her mate. The Secretary Birds are facultatively fratricidal.

There are conflicting opinions on this phenomenon also called Cainism - "No evidence [exist] of sibling aggression, but youngest in brood of 3 almost always dies of starvation..." Considering that the 2 parents must provide food for 3 chicks at a rate of one feeding per hour after day 17 after incubation, one can understand why the last of the chicks to hatch has the least chance of survival. The downy young can feed autonomously after 40 days, although the parents still feed the young after that time. Both the parents feed the young. At 60 days, the young start to flap their wings, and by day 65-80 are able to fledge. Fledging is accomplished by jumping out of the nest or using a semi-controlled fall via fervent wing flapping to the ground. After this time, the young are quickly taught how to hunt through expeditions with their parents and are considered independent soon after. Threats Young are predated by crows and kites as they are vulnerable in Acacia tree tops. As a population, the Secretary Bird is mainly threatened by loss of habitat and deforestation.

In 1968 the species became protected under the Africa Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Nevertheless the species is still widespread across Africa, and has adapted well to arable land where prey animals such as rodents are more common than in traditional habitat. The species is well represented in protected areas as well. Calls / Vocalizations Secretary birds are almost completely silent birds, except for a rare croaking sound they utter when displaying. Cultural significance The Secretary Bird has traditionally been admired in Africa for its striking appearance and ability to deal with pests and snakes. As such it has often not been molested, although this is changing as traditional observances have declined. The Secretary Bird is the national emblem of Sudan as well as a prominent feature on the Coat of arms of South Africa. In Sudan, it is featured in the middle white strip of the Presidential Flag; it is the main object on the Presidential Seal, and features heavily in Sudanese military insignia. The Secretary Bird on the Presidential Flag and Seal has its head turned to the right, with its distinctive crest clearly visible and its wings spread out with a white banner between its outstretched wings reading "Victory is Ours".

In South Africa, the Secretary Bird, while not the official bird, is featured as a symbol on the national coat of arms, representing vigilance and military might, as well as the rise and pride of modern South Africa. The Secretary Bird has been a common motif for African countries on postage stamps, over 65 stamps from about 30 countries are known as of date including some from stamp-issuing entities such as Ajman, Manama. the Maldives and the United Nations where the bird does not occur. Taxonomy First described by English illustrator John Frederick Miller in 1779, the Secretary Bird was soon moved to its own genus, Sagittarius, by French naturalist Johann Hermann in his Tabula Affinatum Animalium. It was not until 1935 that the species was moved to its own family, distinct from all other birds of prey—a classification confirmed by molecular systematics. Recent cladistic analysis has shown Sagittariidae to be an older branch of the diurnal birds of prey than Accipitridae and Falconidae , but a younger divergence than Cathartidae .

Sometimes, the enigmatic bird Eremopezus is classified as an early relative of the secretary bird, though this is quite uncertain as the bird is only known from a few fragmentary body parts such as the legs. Its common name is popularly thought to derive from the crest of long quill-like feathers, lending the bird the appearance of a secretary with quill pens tucked behind his or her ear, as was once common practice. A more recent hypothesis is that "secretary" is borrowed from a French corruption of the Arabic saqr-et-tair or "hunter-bird." The generic name "Sagittarius" is Latin for "archer," perhaps likening the Secretary Bird's "quills" to a quiver of arrows, and the specific epithet "serpentarius" recalls the bird's skill as a hunter of reptiles. Copyright: Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License . It uses material from Wikipedia.org ... Additional information added by Avianweb. Please Note: The articles or images on this page are the sole property of the authors or photographers. Please contact them directly with respect to any copyright or licensing questions. Thank you.

The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail . THANK YOU! Secretary Bird Fact Sheet French: Messager sagittaire, Messager serpentaire Spanish: Secretario bley "He goat of the plains" by some East African tribes The Secretarybird, which is the sole member of its family, Sagittariidae, has been classified in several ways: In a separate family with other families of falcon-like birds - Falconiformes (Clemments 2007) In a separate subfamily of the Accipiter family (Dickinson 2003) In its own separate suborder of Falconiformes (Kemp 1994) Most recent DNA study (Hackett 2008) supports strong morphological, behavioral and molecular affinities with Falconiformes, especially hawks and eagles. Phylogeny Possibly due to rapid divergence in early evolutionary history, evolutionary relationships among major avian groups is disputed. Diurnal birds of prey are the Secretarybird's closest relatives.

Proposed relationships to seriemas (Cariamidae), cranes (Gruidae), or bustards (Otididae) is likely to be morphological adaptation to a terrestrial lifestyle for these groups of birds. Fossil remains of two relatives from Oligocene and early Miocene of France A third fossil bird from 10 million year-old Nebraska rocks has been called the "false secretarybird" since its similarity to the modern Secretarybird is believed to be due to convergence rather than a close genetic relationship. (Brown 1972) (Kemp 1994, 1995) (Steyn1982) (Tarboton 1990) Activity Cycle Diurnal. Do not get up until well after sunrise. Spend time preening and warming in the sun. Mated pairs travel together throughout the day in the same vicinity but hunt independently. Activity is centered around the roosting or nesting tree. May pause to roost during the heat of the day, often in the nesting tree. Foraging occurs again in the afternoon, and pairs return an hour or two before dark.

Can cover 2 - 3 km per hour, and can roam 20 – 30 km a day. Take breaks to preen, rest, dust bathe, and drink. Return to roost in late afternoon or dusk, with head tucked under wing. Thermoregulation Pant to keep cool when exposed to high temperatures. Territory/Range Size Usually sedentary but nomadic when prey fluctuates. Mated pairs occupy 20 sq km of territory in Kruger National Park, 100 to 230 sq km in the Transvaal. Pairs can have territories over 20 sq km in mixed tree and grass areas, 45 sq km in dry grassland, 70 sq km in montane grassland within South Africa. Densities of 50 sq km per pair have been reported for parts of the Transvaal and Zimbabwe, but may become as low as 100-500 sq km during years of low rainfall, or in more arid parts of the continent. Territorial Behavior Pairs defend against encroaching Secretaries by chasing and jumping over them, striking downwards with their feet and uttering deep croaking calls.

Invading Secretaries usually run away when confronted with an attack. When the victor returns to its partner, runs circles around it with crest feathers lifted. Density: 7 birds / 200 sq. mi. Aggression No aggression observed between siblings. Communication Displays Pendulum displays are used during courtship and mating, and may be performed by one or both members of a pair. Displays may last as long as 15 minutes, stalling and then swooping down with wings closed, then swinging up again and repeating the performance. Pairs may also swoop at each other, rolling over to present the feet, even when one bird is on the ground near the nest. At the peak of each pendulum flight, bird closes wings briefly, then flicks them open before turning downward, producing a flash of silver-grey as underwing coverts appear beneath black wing feathers. Mating displays can occur up to six months before egg-laying. Bowing or greeting displays are used by mates when exchanging brooding duties. Sitting parent stands and raises and lowers the head, similar to the "up-down" display of many storks.

May include the croaking call, fanning the tail almost vertically above the back, exposing the white undertail coverts at each bow. Bowing displays most common during nest-building and early stages of incubation. Vocalizations Generally silent, except when announcing their presence. Call is a deep guttural croak that becomes a loud roaring groan at high intensity, sometimes uttered with the head thrown back. May be cried: In flight during pendulum displays On the ground during fights At the nest by mates during bowing or greeting displays By large chicks in response to predators A single high croak indicates alarm. Deeper croaks are used to threaten. Soft clucking calls and low whistles may be given by mates at the nest. Small chicks beg with soft cheeping calls that become insistent clucking, mewing, squealing and then braying notes. As the birds become older and hungrier, calling can even continue at night. Locomotion Terrestrial Mainly terrestrial. Sometimes pairs run over grassland with wings held above the back, possibly in pursuit of large snakes or other prey, but may be a form of display. May stride quickly, looking from side to side, or shuffles slowly looking for prey.

120 paces / minute Capable fliers, can execute impressive acrobatic displays at considerable height. Sighted at over 3,658 m (12,000 feet) elevation. Commonly soar on thermals for travel and perform undulating nuptial display flights. Dispersal & Migration Secretaries are sedentary during breeding season and as long as food is available. Nomadic in most areas in response to changes in rainfall, grazing and fires. Adult males are usually the last to abandon territories, while juveniles wander widely in search of areas unoccupied by mated pairs. Birds may enter and breed regularly in an area for several years and then be absent or only present in greatly reduced numbers. Interspecies Interaction (Brown 1972) (Kemp 1974,1994,1995) (Herholdt & Anderson 2006) (Tarboton 1990) Courtship The breeding cycle (nest-building to fledgling) lasts five to six months. Includes: high flights above nest area - repeated diving and sweeping upward while emitting croaking calls. Usually during summer rains. Can occur whenever prey is abundant.

Nesting Select trees with substantial, flat canopies. Roosting and nesting occurs in trees, but occasionally on the ground. Some nests are used repeatedly, but more often new sites are selected for each round of breeding. Nest consists of sticks and weeds, thickly lined with dry grass. 3 - 6 ft in diameter. Nesting period is usually about 80 to 90 days. Life Stages Clutch size: 1 - 3 eggs, white and unmarked, Egg shell green inside, like that of eagles and hawks. Brooding / Incubation: approximately 42 - 45 days. Pairs alternate incubating and brooding duties, though the female usually does so overnight. During this time the sitting parent is completely exposed to elements, enduring heat, rain, hail and cold. Parents may switch shifts incubating or brooding up to six times a day. Display greeting with each shift change. Nestlings No documented aggression between siblings. Liquid is regurgitated to chicks from the day after hatching until approximately 63 days old. After the chicks feather, both the male and female parents collect food. Prey swallowed whole are regurgitated by nesting parents onto nest floor.

After several weeks they can gulp down whole food. Nestlings remain within a few hundred meters of the nest during the first month or so, after gliding out of the nest to practice mock kills by stamping on grass tussocks or sticks. Parents may also dribble water into chicks' mouths. Young Fledging: Chicks usually fully developed, with duller plumage and yellow (rather than red or orange) facial skin. Fledglings return to roost on the nest for at least six weeks after their first flight. Young remain with their parents for a few months, sleeping together on the same treetop at night. The parent-child bond gradually diminishes and the family disperses. Adults The age of maturity is not known, but expected to be 3 or 4 years. Longevity Secretary Bird | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants SPECIES: serpentarius ABOUT Crazy name: The secretary bird’s English name was once thought to come from the 1800s, when Europeans first spotted these birds. Back then, male secretaries wore gray tailcoats and dark knee-length pants. They also used goose-quill pens that they carried behind their ears.

This long-legged bird shares many of these same physical features: long, dark quills at the back of the head; long, gray wing and tail feathers that resemble a tailcoat; and black feathers that go midway down the legs like short pants. It's fun to imagine how the two "secretaries" compare! Secretary birds are distantly related to buzzards, vultures, harriers, and kites. But unlike their raptor cousins, secretary birds spend most of their time on the ground. But can they fly? Of course! They may spend their days on the ground, but secretary birds are good fliers and nest and roost high up in acacia trees at night. In flight, their long legs trail behind them in the air. HABITAT AND DIET Long, stork-like legs hold most of the bird’s body above vegetation, giving it a better view of potential prey. Native to Africa, secretary birds are found south of the Sahara Desert, from Senegal east to Somalia and south to South Africa. Standing over four feet tall, the elegant birds cruise through grasses on long legs while looking for a bite to eat.

Secretary birds prefer savannas with scattered acacia trees and short grasses where they can easily see while strolling. A few hours after dawn, secretary birds drop down to the ground from their nighttime roost to start the daily hunt. Pairs of secretary birds keep track of what's happening in their territory, which can be up to 19 square miles (50 square kilometers) in size. They are known to cover more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) in a day of hunting. Secretary birds search for food throughout the day—resting in the shade of a tree during the hottest part of the day—and return to their roost just before sunset. Secretary birds and caracaras are the only terrestrial birds of prey, hunting for their food on foot. Adults are often seen working in loose pairs, or even small family groups, stalking through grass in search of small mammals, reptiles, birds, and large insects. They are well known for their ability to catch and kill snakes of all sorts, even venomous ones! Secretary birds are clever enough to take advantage of recent fires, scavenging throughout the burn site for small animals that were unable to escape the blaze. These clever birds use two different hunting techniques.

They catch prey by chasing it down, and then they either strike it with their bill or stomp on it until the prey is dead or stunned enough for the bird to swallow, usually whole. When attacking prey, the birds spread both wings and raise the feathered crest at the back of the head. Some studies suggest that dinosaur-like terror birds that wandered the Earth five million years ago may well have used this same attack strategy! A venomous snake might try to bite the secretary bird’s flapping feathers, but they serve as safe distractions or targets, since a bite to a hollow feather wouldn’t hurt the bird at all! The secretary bird's feet are adapted for walking and lack significant grasping ability. Rather than carrying prey with the feet, food is usually either eaten right away or taken away in the beak. At the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, secretary birds are offered a combination of a commercial diet made for zoo carnivores and thawed mice. FAMILY LIFE Although they spend their days on the ground, secretary birds take to the trees for roosting at night and for nesting. Courtship for secretary birds takes place at any time of year, depending on how much food is available.

Both male and female soar in wide circles and perform swoops and downward plunges, sometimes clasping talons in midair. The monogamous pair works together to build a large nest reaching up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) across. The nest is built of twigs, sticks, animal fur and dung, leaves, and grasses. The busy couple works on and visits the nest for up to six months; pairs often use the same nest for many years. One to three pale-green eggs are laid every two to three days, and the female does most of the incubation duties. The eggs hatch in the order they were laid, a few days apart. Both parents feed regurgitated and liquefied insects and small animals directly to the youngsters. Unlike other birds of prey, secretary bird parents often raise more than one chick successfully. Secretary bird chicks fledge at about 12 weeks of age. For the first few weeks, one parent is always on the nest, feeding and caring for the chick. Within 10 days, the secretary bird’s distinctive bare patch becomes visible on the face but without the bright orange coloration.

By the third week, the chick has an unmistakable secretary bird face, crest feathers start to emerge, and long eyelashes become visible. In the beginning, the parents tear up small pieces of meat for the chicks to eat. At about 40 days old, the down-covered babies learn to eat small mammal and reptile parts that the parents drop directly into the nest. By six weeks, the chicks look like fully feathered, miniature versions of an adult. They exercise their wings at around 9 weeks and fledge at 12 weeks of age. Fledging for a secretary bird usually means a somewhat controlled fall out of the nest with lots of wing flapping until the youngster hits the ground! Parents then teach their offspring how to hunt, kick, and fly; the youngsters wander off on their own soon after. Usually quiet, secretary birds do vocalize if needed. A deep, low croak or a roaring groan can be made during a courtship flight, during fights, or to defend territory or a nest, as crows and kites often attack secretary bird nestlings, which are easy targets in their treetop nests.

A single high croak is made when the bird is alarmed, and soft clucks and whistles are used between mates. To beg for food, chicks use a soft cheeping call that changes to squeals and loud brays as they get older. AT THE ZOO The San Diego Zoo’s first secretary birds arrived in 1939. At that time, no secretary birds had bred in any zoo facility. It was thought perhaps zoos did not have enough room to give the birds, which perform aerial courtship rituals. In 1971, the San Diego County Council of Camp Fire Girls raised money to fund the purchase of a pair of the birds for the fledgling San Diego Zoo Safari Park. In 2002, a secretary bird pair at the Safari Park’s off-exhibit Bird Breeding Complex, housed in a large flight aviary with several other bird species, showed an interest in breeding. The pair was seen carrying nesting material to a tree, and before long, they had a very large nest built of sticks, twigs, and grasses at the top of a tree.

After two eggs were laid, the eggs were placed in an incubator for safekeeping, due to the parents’ lack of experience, and replaced with plaster-filled artificial eggs for the parents to incubate. The chicks hatched and were hand reared, and the parents laid more eggs. After three chicks were successfully hand reared, the parents were given a chance to raise their own. After two unsuccessful tries, they succeeded in hatching and raising one chick in 2004, a first for our organization! Since that time, we’ve welcomed 22 more secretary bird chicks. In recent years, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has been one of only two North American zoos to have successfully raised this species. With our success, we will continue to be able to collaborate with other zoos to help expand the breeding program throughout the US. Currently, there is a pair of secretary birds in the Zoo’s Elephant Odyssey. They can be seen across from a life-size statue of another long-legged, but now extinct, bird: the Daggett’s eagle, a predator whose hunting behavior was similar to that of the secretary bird’s.

At the Safari Park, we have over a dozen secretary birds, including a pair on exhibit in the Park’s African Outpost, and two (Karani and Aren) that are part of our Frequent Flyers bird show. Karani is a mature female who hatched in 2008; Aren, a young male, hatched in 2012. They can both be seen performing a natural secretary bird behavior: stomping a snake! However, the snake used in the show is made of rubber. We are the only facility in the US to feature trained secretary birds, and there are only an estimated four other trained secretary birds worldwide. CONSERVATION We still have much to learn about these amazing birds and how they raise their young. At this time, the secretary bird is common over much of its range and is protected in many African countries. However, habitat loss and deforestation could affect its future. In 1968, the species was protected under the Africa Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Its popularity among Africans may help protect the secretary bird in the future, while zoos such as San Diego Zoo Global do our part to increase awareness about the importance of habitat protection.

LIFE SPAN Secretary Bird Secretary Bird Order: Falconiformes. Secretary Bird (Photograph Courtesy Gerald and Buff Corsi, California Academy of Sciences Copyright ï¿½2000) Family: Sagittariidae Scientific Name:ï¿½Sagittarius serpentarius Common Names:ï¿½Secretary Bird. Conservation Status:ï¿½Rare. Rescue & Recovery:ï¿½Officially protected, though the reduction in this species continues. Geographical Range: Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. Habitat: Savannahs, steppes and plains. Occasionally found in very light bush areas. Physical Characteristics:ï¿½The Secretary Bird is the only species in this family. It receives its common name from the Arabic saqu ettair which translates into French to mean hunter-bird (secrï¿½taire). A fanciful story is that name originates from the pen-like quills which dangle off the bird's head; these are said to resemble the quills 18th century clerks carried tucked into their wigs. The scientific name of Sagittarius serpentarius refers both to the resemblance of the bird to an archer and also to its preference for snakes.

Secretary Bird (Photograph Courtesy of Ross Warner Photography Copyright ï¿½2000) Secretary Birds do not have the grasping toes of other birds of prey; their toes are thick and blunt but armed with short, curved talons. Unlike other raptors they have long legs (the longest legs of any bird of prey), wings and tail. Usually seen on the ground hunting for food, these birds can fly well and soar in the same manner as vultures, though this they will only do when necessary. Even when pursued they rely upon their ability to walk quickly, rather than taking flight, but may spread their wings to aid in running. They are the only bird of prey with terrestrial habits and it is not unusual for a Secretary Bird to walk distances of up to twenty miles in a single day. The Secretary Bird is more than a metre long with plumage which is mostly white, having bands of black on the wings, tops of the legs and shaggy central tail feathers. The shape of the head, bald face and strong bill resemble the Caracara. Usually very quiet this bird emits hoarse croaks during mating. It may also make a mewing noise during the night.

ï¿½ Secretary Bird (Copyright ï¿½2000) Food: This bird's diet consists mostly of insects, lizards, small birds, eggs, hares, small tortoises (whole!) and rodents, but is a true specialist in the hunting and killing of snakes. It has developed some protection from snakebite and has scales on the legs which form a heavy plating. Their ability as snake catchers is such that these birds are often tamed and kept around farms for just this purpose. They can sometimes be seen performing what appears to be a dance; it was originally thought that this related to mating, however it has now been seen in situations where the bird is alone. It may simply be quick avoidance when a snake strikes, though this is yet to be proven. The most unusual item ever seen to be eaten by a Secretary Bird was a golf ball. Secretary Birds spend a great deal of time on the ground walking around and searching for prey. When hunting they spread their head feathers and will sometimes stamp vigorously, probably to flush out a potential meal. Small animals are simply picked up and swallowed, but larger ones like the snakes, are killed by stamping, or by grabbing the unfortunate victim and beating it to death on the ground.

Stamping involves using amazing accuracy to impact the short rear talon with the skull of a likely meal. Prey may also be tossed into the air a number of times to stun it. They are opportunistic birds and gather at recently burnt out areas where prey are often injured and without plant cover. Though not a social bird, they often hunt in small groups or pairs, and keep in contact by hooting. In captivity this species is difficult to breed successfully, but those few captive-raised birds are usually fed on day-old chicks. ï¿½ Secretary Bird (Photograph Copyright ï¿½1969) Reproduction: During mating season there is heavy competition between the males, with birds doing acrobatic flights, climbing high into the sky, then suddenly dropping down. Once paired up Secretary Birds are devoted and remain together for life. Each year they return to the same nest repairing and expanding it with the addition of more sticks or grass. Nests with a diameter of two metres are not uncommon, however they are not easily spotted among the forks of trees, (often at the top of an acacia).

The two, occasionally three, white eggs are incubated by the female and take about 45-50 days to hatch and the young are fed a diet of small mammals via regurgitation. After about eight weeks they are able to take flight. Thumbnails (Click For Full-Size Image): ï¿½ Secretary bird | San Diego Zoo - Kids San Diego Zoo Photos Area: Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Ghana, Niger, Chad Eithiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, and South Africa Habitat: Reptiles, birds, small mammals, and large insects Size: About 4 feet tall; wingspan is more than 6 ½ feet Babies: Chicks are fed by their parents until they are around 80 days old. Another name for this bird is the marching eagle, because of the way it lifts its legs as it walks. This birdAn animal that has wings and is covered with feathers. Birds have a backbone, are warm-blooded, produce young from eggs, and walk on their two legs.

Most can fly.’s forward-looking eyes and large, hooked beakThe hard mouthpart of a bird and some other animals. The beak can also be called a bill. are clues to what it eats—it’s a hunter! A secretary birdAn animal that has wings and is covered with feathers. Birds have a backbone, are warm-blooded, produce young from eggs, and walk on their two legs. Most can fly.’s long legs help it move through tall grass in search of food. When it spies preyNoun: An animal that is hunted as food by another animal. Verb: To attempt to take an animal for food.—like a snakeAn animal with a long, scaly body and no arms, legs, or wings. Snakes have backbones and are cold-blooded., for example—the birdAn animal that has wings and is covered with feathers. Birds have a backbone, are warm-blooded, produce young from eggs, and walk on their two legs. Most can fly. pounces and clutches it in its clawsThe fingernails of an animal, such as a bear or cat. They help to grab prey. In birds, they're called talons..

Then the secretary birdAn animal that has wings and is covered with feathers. Birds have a backbone, are warm-blooded, produce young from eggs, and walk on their two legs. Most can fly. pounds the preyNoun: An animal that is hunted as food by another animal. Verb: To attempt to take an animal for food. against the ground to stun or kill it. Secretary birds search for food on the ground throughout the day. They roostA place where flying birds and bats rest or sleep, or where a bird builds its nest. in trees at night. They are usually quiet, but make croaking sounds when they are meeting a mate. Most of the time, a secretary birdAn animal that has wings and is covered with feathers. Birds have a backbone, are warm-blooded, produce young from eggs, and walk on their two legs. Most can fly.’s long, dark head feathers lay flat against the body. But if the birdAn animal that has wings and is covered with feathers. Birds have a backbone, are warm-blooded, produce young from eggs, and walk on their two legs. Most can fly.

feels threatened, it makes the feathers stand up to make the birdAn animal that has wings and is covered with feathers. Birds have a backbone, are warm-blooded, produce young from eggs, and walk on their two legs. Most can fly. look bigger. Secretarybird Facts Secretarybird Facts Secretarybird Facts Secretarybird is large bird of prey that lives in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Secretarybird usually inhabits savannas and open grasslands which enable fast identification of the potential prey. Other than that, secretarybirds can be found in semi-deserts, forests and farmlands. Secretarybirds are threatened by habitat loss due to increased agriculture and urban development. Luckily, number of secretarybirds in the wild is large and they are not on the list of endangered species. Interesting Secretarybird Facts: Secretarybird can reach 4 to 5 feet in height and 5 to 9 ½ pounds of weight. Upper part of the body is grey in color. Bottom side of the body and flight feathers are black. Facial skin is orange-red in color, and the beak is bluish-grey. Long, erect black feathers form crest on the back side of the neck.

Researchers used to believe that name "secretarybird" originates from 19th century when male secretaries wore quills in their wigs (similar in appearance with crest of secretarybird). More likely, name "secretarybird" originates from Arabic word "saqu ettair" which means "hunter-bird". Secretarybird has wingspan of 7 feet. These birds rarely fly even though they are proficient in the air. They fly with the help of warm air currents to preserve energy. Secretarybirds have extremely long legs that are covered with scales. Scales prevent injuries that may result from the movement across the rough terrain. Unlike other raptors, secretarybirds look for the food by walking on the ground. They can travel a distance of 20 miles each day. Secretarybirds are carnivores (meat-eaters). Their diet consists of snakes and other reptiles, insects and rodents. Secretarybirds apply two methods to kill their prey. They will either stab the prey with the beak or stomp the victim until it is dead. Secretarybirds swallow the prey in one piece. Secretarybirds are territorial animals. They occupy territory of around 19 square miles.

Secretarybirds are loud animals that produce croaks, whistles, groans and clucks. They vocalize during the courtship, when they are threatened or as a sign of aggression toward other males. Besides humans, natural enemies of secretarybirds are hawks, large snakes and carnivorous mammals. Mating takes place throughout the whole year and reaches the peak during the spring and summer. Female produces couple of broods per year when the food is abundant. Both parents build nest out of the sticks and leaves. Nest is usually 8 feet wide and located on the acacia tree. Female lays 1 to 3 eggs that will hatch after incubation period of 42 to 46 days. Both parents take care of the eggs and young chicks. Secretarybirds regurgitate swallowed food to feed their chicks. At the age of 40 days, young birds will start to eat small animals. They will leave the nest for the first time at the age of 12 weeks. Secretarybird can survive up to 20 years in captivity. Related Links: Secretary Bird - Animal Facts Animal Profiles Secretary Bird Bird.

A relative of the hawk, the secretary bird is the only bird of prey who does more walking than flying, up to 20 miles a day. With very large, broad wings, secretary birds are also strong fliers and use thermal air currents to rise and soar. When hunting, they stamp on the ground to flush out small animals, then run in a zigzag pattern, flapping their wings to confuse their prey. Their name may refer to the crest of black-tipped feathers, thought to resemble 18th century male secretaries with quill pens in their wigs. Or the name may come from the Arabic “saqu ettair,” meaning hunter-bird, which translates into French as “secretaire.” Scientific Name Lifespan Sagittarius serpentarius 20 years in captivity Diet Carnivore. Snakes (puff adders and cobras), large insects, hares, reptiles, and rodents. Predators and Threats Eagles, snakes, large carnivores, and humans. Habitat Dry plains, savanna and sparsely covered grasslands south of the Sahara. Also South Africa.

Question: What is the food of the secretary bird?
Answer: Snakes